A Guide to Classic Six Apartments in NYC

April 4, 2021 by Georges Benoliel

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Finding a three-bedroom apartment in downtown New York City is nearly impossible since apartments and condos rule the real estate market. So the next best choice is a three-bedroom apartment smack dab in the city’s heart. One such option that is pretty popular is the prewar-style classic six apartments. If you want to learn more about buying a classic six-apartment in NYC, this is the perfect place to start. This guide teaches you everything you need about the classic six flats in NYC. We will include what they are, why people want them, the pros and cons, and if you should consider buying one. We will go over where to find classic six for sale in NYC.

A classic six in NYC is located in a prewar building and features large rooms, high ceilings, and wood floors. Specifically, you can commonly find these homes on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side of Manhattan. So, let’s dive right in. Here is everything you need to know about classic six apartments in NYC.

What is a Classic Six Apartment?

As the name so eloquently implies, you can probably guess how many rooms a classic six-apartment has and why it’s named that way. It consists of six rooms. But it’s not just six random rooms. It will always include the following:

1. Formal dining room with a window
2. Full kitchen
3. Living room
4. a master bedroom
5. a second bedroom
6. MMaid’sroom

A maid’s room is typically a smaller bedroom located off the kitchen and usually has its own bathroom (full or half). A classic six can also have any number of bathrooms. But it’s commonly one-and-a-half or two bathrooms in addition to the one connected to the maid’s room. A classic six apartment is a three-bedroom apartment, two-bathroom unit with a separate, formal dining room.

As you can imagine, they’re pretty sizable and, therefore, also expensive, especially in NYC. With how big and costly they are in NYC (more later), why are classic six apartments desirable?

A classic five apartment usually does not have a maid’s room, whereas a classic seven apartment usually has an extra bedroom. Classic eight apartments are scarce but often include a second maid’s room. Sometimes Classic eight apartments also have an additional bathroom as well.

Suppose you’re lucky enough to find and buy a classic seven or a classic 8 apartment. In that case, you’re fortunate because these rare 3 and 4 bedroom apartments are considered trophy properties due to their rarity. Three-bedroom apartments are rare, and four-bedroom apartments are almost unheard of. So be happy if you own one!

Why Are Classic Sixes Desirable?

Architects designed classic six apartments for families with a living maid.

Nowadays, most people aren’t housing maids or servants in their apartments. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t a desirable place to live—classic six apartments in Co-op buildings built between the 1920s and the 1940s.

Those are primarily on Manhattan’s Upper West Side’s Upper East Side.

Additionally, there are some Classic Six apartments in certain parts of Brooklyn. There are examples in Crown Heights, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, and Prospect Heights. They have become so popular that developers incorporate classic six apartments into their projects for new constructions.

Let’s look at a few main reasons why they are still desirable today.

1. Higher ceilings than most places.

Square footage isn’t the only meaningful measure of space, especially where it comes at a premium, like in NYC.

With ceiling heights typically at least nine feet, classic six apartments seem significantly more spacious than typical apartments with lower 8-foot, or even 7-foot, ceiling heights.

2. Prewar nuances such as moldings and oak floors.

Many people are attracted to the classic six because of its high ceiling and other aesthetics.

These prewar apartments usually have brilliant oak floors, beautiful molding, and visually appealing cornices.

3. Plenty of space to raise a family.

With three bedrooms (albeit the maid’s room is a bit small), a classic six-apartment is big enough to raise a family. They are as spacious as many two- or three-bedroom houses, but you can find these in the heart of NYC, unlike big homes!

4. A maid’s room can serve as a great office space.

The maid’s room is the perfect space for a home office. It’s the ideal size for an office and usually includes a bathroom. This is the perfect space for anyone working from home.

5. Separate living spaces are ideal for roommates.

Although they are great options for raising a family, a classic six apartment can also be ideal for roommates since the living spaces have good separation. The bedrooms are separated.

There are multiple bathrooms, and the separate maid’s room has its own bathroom. It is perfect for three roommates to have a bit of privacy.

Are There Any Downsides to a Classic Six in NYC?

Although some advantages to buying a classic six make them a desirable property choice in NYC, they have disadvantages. Here are a few of the downsides to purchasing a classic six-apartment:

• Everything is separated, with no open floor plans. While we just mentioned the separate living spaces as a bonus for roommates, it’s a great floor plan for families. Most sleeping spaces are entirely separated, and living spaces are also.

The kitchen is separate from the dining room, which is separated from the living room. A classic six is severely lacking in the age of open floor plans.

• The maid’s room can be too small for a bedroom. We mentioned the maid’s room is perfect for office space, but it’s too small to be a legitimate bedroom. It might also be suitable for a younger child who wants a room, but it’s a legitimate bedroom for an adult, even though you’ll be paying for a three-bedroom apartment.

Classic six apartments are probably not for families or individuals who prefer more flexible layouts. The maid’s room is also often tiny and unusable for most families.

• Expensive. Because you’ll be paying for a three-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for a classic six apartment. Units can range from a couple hundred thousand up to millions of dollars. But they’ll always pay a premium because of the third bedroom, even if it’s too small to be a standard bedroom.

Should You Buy a Classic Six Apartment?

Based on everything you’ve read, you should have a good idea of whether or not you want to buy a classic six-apartment. But the question is, should you? That comes down to what you want to get out of your apartment and how you want your living arrangements to be in NYC. Classic six apartments are an excellent option for families and roommates.

But they have a few drawbacks. Strictly financially speaking, a classic six is not a cheap apartment to buy in NYC. The city is constantly growing, and property values are steadily increasing. So, purchasing a classic six-apartment now might end up representing a solid investment for the long term.

So start looking into classic six for sale in NYC!

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